This Brought Me To Tears...

Hi friends! We are doing something a little different on the blog today. I don't usually do guest posts, but when I got an email from my sweet friend Kourtney, I couldn't resist. I don't want to ruin the post, but I want to preface it with the fact that I was reduced to tears when I read what she had to say. When we decided to share Taylor Grace's story, we prayed it would help someone, somewhere. This post reminded me that Taylor had a purpose in her short life, and I couldn't be more grateful. I'll let Kourtney take it from here...

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Hey y'all! My name is Kourtney and I blog over at The Martins and the Marines. I found Chelsea's blog a few years ago when I was first getting started, and I've been hooked ever since! We've never actually met, but I'm convinced if we were stationed at the same base we'd be quick friends. I sincerely hope our paths cross someday so we can meet! When I'm looking for a blog to add to my must-read list, I generally look for people with things in common. While you won't find me doing book reviews or posting recipes in the near future (with good reason... you'd much rather get those from her), there are a few things Chelsea and I share! 

1. Chelsea and I are both military spouses. We're a Marine family though - hence the blog name. We are currently stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. We PCS'd twice in 2014, so it's safe to say, Chelsea and I both know what it's like to PCS too many times, though I couldn't tell you the first thing about a DITY move and I know she could. 

2. We both love our dogs like they're human children. They are our first babies, after all. See, I can't even go on without including a picture of them. 

3. My love for Taylor Swift. I've been to six of her concerts (and met her after I realized I was sitting next to her mom in the sound booth and asked her for meet-and-greet tickets - and no, I'm not even embarrassed for recognizing Taylor Swift's mom). I haven't been in years, though, so I was quite envious when I saw Chelsea saw her 1989 tour!

4. I try to glorify God any way I can. In the big decisions I make and in the little everyday things. Reading about Chelsea's faith and how she has put her complete trust in Him is such an encouragement to me and my walk with God!

5. I'm sure she'd agree with me when I say that children are a gift from God above and one of the biggest blessing of all. We're both parents of little girls. Mine, Julia Rose. Hers, Taylor Grace.

With Chelsea's permission, I'd like to spend the rest of this guest post talking a little bit about how Taylor Grace has impacted not only Chelsea's family and friends, but also people she doesn't even know. I remember seeing when Chelsea first posted she was pregnant. I was as excited as you could be for someone I'd never met being pregnant. Blogs have a way of making you feel like you're friends. I was pregnant at the time with my first little girl and thrilled to read any pregnancy post I could find. As her pregnancy developed and she announced her complications, I remember my heart breaking for her. I'd like to think I would handle the situation as gracefully and faithfully as she has, but you never really know until you're in it, I guess. As time went on and Taylor Grace eventually passed, Chelsea remained outspoken about her journey with her little Taylor and her trust in the Lord. Which brings me to one of my favorite bible verses:

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11

So fastforward a little bit. I eventually gave birth to our sweet girl this past January. She has her Daddy's red hair and my chubby cheeks and she's the perfect little sister we could ask for. After she was born, I found Taylor Grace coming to my mind often. When I was tripping over the dogs at two o'clock in the morning for the third time that night to bring a bottle to Julia. When I was walking through the commissary with my oldest throwing all of the food out of the cart and Julia strapped to me screaming. When all four of my backup pacifiers fell to the depths of the carseat and I had to listen to her scream the 20 minutes home in the car. I often found myself thinking about Taylor Grace and what a blessing it is as a parent to care for these little humans. Even in the hard times. 

I'd like to think I'm not the only reader of Anchors Aweigh that has been impacted by Taylor Grace's sweet little life. She crosses my mind about once a day. And when she does, I take the time to pray over Julia for whatever I'm needing at the moment. Sometimes it's for patience, because two toddlers have a way of sucking that right out of you. Sometimes I pray for a greater ability to appreciate, because I never want to take any of these moments for granted. Sometimes I pray for the strength to make it through the workday and get the kids in bed at night. Sometimes when it's a rough day, I pray for all of these things. Taylor Grace has become my reminder to pray. Even in the hard times. 

If you're interested to read a little bit more about our family, I'd love for you to head over to my page and say hello! 

www.themartinsandthemarines.com
www.instagram.com/martinsandthemarines

Most recently, you'll find me writing about surviving my husband's third deployment and parenting my one and two year old while working full time. And photographing as much as possible along the way! A big thank you to Chelsea for letting me take over her blog for the day!